Four Farmington Valley Towns band together for 2026 Juneteenth Celebration on June 20

Submitted release

SIMSBURY— The Farmington Valley’s largest Juneteenth Celebration is back with a bang! The best in food, brew, live music and now fireworks come alive at a unique Juneteenth celebration in Simsbury. The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center announced today that it will host the 2026 Juneteenth Freedom Celebration from 5:30 pm – 9 pm on Saturday, June 20^th. Admission is free.

What distinguishes this Juneteenth celebration is that four suburban towns in the Farmington Valley – Avon, Farmington, Granby, and Simsbury—banding together to bring the spirit of freedom and fun to the community at large.

“Join us as we celebrate food, folks and fireworks at the Farmington Valley’s largest Juneteenth Celebration, June 20 at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center,” said Planning Committee Members Chari Chester-Anderson and Dr. Tayarisha Batchelor, Director of Equity and Access with Simsbury Public Schools.  

The 2026 Juneteenth Celebration is a program of the Simsbury DEI Council and with entertainment program produced by June Archer’s Eleven 28 Entertainment.

"The Town of Simsbury is excited to host our 4th Juneteenth celebration. We thank Simsbury's DEI Council, our neighbors in Avon, Farmington, and Granby, and numerous local businesses and civic groups, all of whom are contributing to this celebration. Can’t wait to see everyone there!” said Simsbury First Selectman Wendy G. Mackstutis.

The Richard P. Garmany Performance Stage will feature DJ K-Otic, The Rahsaan Langley Project, Mr. Khair, Cruz Angel, winner of the 2026 Hartford Got Talent! plus Hartford’s Own Jumoke Drum Line.

Kids of all ages can experience the world’s coolest LEGO^® Black Brick Play Zone and full-sized LEGO^® Black Panther^TM Photo Zone, courtesy of LEGO Systems, Inc!  

 Have a taste for more? Brewmaster Alisa Bowens-Mercado will once again be hosting the Rhythm Brewing Co. Tasting Zone. Guests may also experience the best in Black and Caribbean cuisine by purchasing from the onsite food trucks: Southern Bell Soul Food, Soulfully Vegan, Just Fish, 881 Grab & Go, Char’s Spicy Nuts, Ice Cream Dream and more. Simsbury Meadows pub will also be open.  

Please note, per Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center no outside food or beverage is permitted.

Historian John Mills with the non-profit Alex Breanne Corporation will also be joining the event, sharing the storied contributions of Black families in the Farmington Valley area.

All this and more...and the admission is FREE thanks to sponsors Richard P. Garmany Fund, The Taylor Family Foundation, Eversource Energy, Hartford Yard Goats Foundation, Avon Public Library, Simsbury Main Street Partnership, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, iHeartMedia, Elkinson + Sloves, Inc., Peoples Bank, LEGO Systems, Inc,  Eleven 28 Entertainment, Signs Plus Print, The Archer Foundation, Super Joe Lewis Sound and the towns of Avon, Farmington, Granby and Simsbury.  

“Our goal is both to educate a wider audience and celebrate together the importance of Juneteenth, the federal holidaycommemorating the end of chattal slavery on June 19, 1865,” said Dr. Batchelor. “Juneteenth is a great time to gather together and celebrate freedom for all of us.” 

For questions regarding weather the please visit https://www.simsburymeadows.org or Simsbury Meadows Facebook and Instagram @simsburymeadows.

Richard P. Garmany Performance Stage Schedule:

• 5:30 p.m.  – Gates open

• 5:30 – 6 p.m.– DJ K-Otic

• 6:00 – 6:07 p.m.– Jumoke Drumline – Opening Performance

• 6:07 – 6:10 p.m. – Welcome - June Archer

• 6:10 – 6:40 p.m. –  Mr. Khari- Performance

• 6:40 – 6:45 p.m. – DJ K-Otic

• 6:45 – 7:15 p.m. – Cruz Angel – Performance

• 7:15 – 7:25 p.m.  – DJ K-Otic

• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – The Rashan Langley Project - Performance         

• 8:15 – 8:22 p.m. – Jumoke Drumline – Closing Performance

• 8:45-8:55 p.m. –  Fireworks